Little Monsters

Jenny, recovering from drinking wine, sits down in her home with a cappuccino in hand, ready to plan Adam’s 70th birthday party. She recalls her freshmen year at the Rhode Island School of Design and how she parlayed her generational wealth into art installations. Her father had visited her in rehab, where she had gone for the third time, and told her that her mother had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

She and Abby text, and Abby gives Jenny her lunch order from The Plover. They meet at the Arcadia and begin to discuss their issues. Abby and Jenny each share three secrets with each other, and Abby confides about her pregnancy with David’s child. Jenny confesses that she has started drinking a lot and that she and Ken have entered counseling. Mindful of her promise to Ken not to involve Abby in their marriage, Jenny stops there. Abby shows her the painting she’s made for Adam’s 70th birthday.

Ken tries repairing his marriage. Arriving home late, he spoons Jenny, imagining her when he first met her. She turns over and he masturbates, frustrated at her apparent rejection.

Continuing his effort, Ken organizes a day on their sailboat, Francesca, ignoring perceived slights from his daughters. As they sail, the girls find remnants of a shipwreck. Ken congratulates himself for having a good day with his family.

Returning home, they see a family picnicking on their property at the beach. Jenny advises Ken to let the family enjoy their food. Ken speaks to the father, giving him a short time to finish their food and clean up. Tessa and Ken argue about private property, and she calls attention to the Indigenous people removed from the Cape. He responds that she enjoys their wealth, highlighting her complicity.

Adam arrives at Tzuco’s, taking clonazepam before entering the restaurant. Reflecting on the shore, Adam pays heed to the cacophony of voices in his head, including a poet whose impromptu poetic composition pleases Adam.

Adam sits and observes the tourists and customers. Bored by those near him, he catches Steph’s eye, and they converse at length. Steph tells him that she’s a police officer following her father, uncles, and grandfather. She explains that she’s on the Cape to explore and investigate a case and leaves to take care of Jonah. Later, as Adam smokes marijuana, he considers the name Jonah to be a sign of his impending discovery about the whales.

Toni and Steph enjoy coffee the next morning. Toni asks her wife about the meeting with Adam. Steph shares what she can, including that she went to the beach after leaving Tzuco’s and her newly discovered knowledge that humpbacks make pink milk. She discusses the emotional drain of the meeting. Toni announces that Steph’s parents will visit on July 4. She admits that she checked with her tarot cards and that Steph’s father and half-siblings are facing trauma. She warns Steph to be careful.

Abby goes to her brother’s house to pick up Tessa and Frannie to celebrate their half-birthday, a tradition that dates back years. Abby notices Ken’s indifference as she brings cinnamon donuts into the screened-in porch. She observes that Jenny doesn’t have a talent for tidiness. Jenny gets ready for the garden tour, which will bring guests to her home. They discuss the expectations of future voters, which drives Jenny to maintain a façade of perfection. Jenny asks about Abby’s pregnancy.

Tessa and her father disagree again. Ken saves a bird in the garden—a salvation that Tessa calls unnecessary: Getting rid of his mesh over the plants would save the birds. Abby leaves with the girls, seeing Steph and Toni in line to tour Jenny’s house and gardens. They talk briefly before Abby and the girls leave for lunch. After lunch, they stop at the Arcadia before heading to one of the historical huts in the dunes, which Abby reserves every year. She helps the twins create a song for their grandfather’s 70th birthday.